WASHINGTON – The critics agree – George Bush had a good first week as president, reaching across party lines and promoting education reform as his first big agenda item.

But the real test has yet to come, and that’s the challenge of drawing Democratic support for a $1.6 trillion tax cut and public-money vouchers for private education, as well as convincing Russian President Vladimir Putin that missile defense isn’t a threat.

Congressional Democrats have walked away from the White House impressed with Bush’s ability to schmooze and listen. Bush has even started coming up with nicknames like “Freddy Boy” and “Big George” for some congressmen.

“I am impressed with his reaching out to members of Congress. It’s a good start,” said House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri.

But Bush’s charm didn’t stop Gephardt from warning the new president not to push his tax cut until there’s agreement on the budget, and it didn’t stop him from blasting Bush’s proposal on school vouchers in a radio address yesterday.

Bush’s spokesman, Ari Fleischer, called it a “strong week” but said he recognized there are battles ahead. “It’s a little early, but it’s an encouraging beginning.”

Ex-Rep. Susan Molinari (R-Staten Island) said, “It was a really good week under any circumstances, but when it’s your first week it takes on more importance because, even in politics, first impressions are important.”

The major ongoing battle is Bush’s nominee for attorney general, John Ashcroft, whose confirmation is scheduled to come up for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.

Senators in both parties say the arch-conservative Ashcroft will most likely be confirmed, though as many as 40 Democrats might vote against him on the Senate floor.

The biggest boost for Bush’s tax cut came last week when Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan gave an enthusiastic blessing to cutting marginal income-tax rates to strengthen the economy, and freshman Democratic Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia surprised his party’s leaders by endorsing Bush’s plan. Democrats were stunned at the blessing by Greenspan, whose credentials they’re reluctant to challenge.

Bush also has brought a new emphasis on professionalism to the White House. Aides have been instructed to “respect the office” and dress appropriately – meaning no blue jeans.

In Bush’s redecorated Oval Office, he replaced a watercolor painting of a boy fishing with a painting of a California landscape.

As for help for the real California, which is going through an electricity crisis caused by the way state leaders deregulated the industry, Bush’s message was this: Help yourself, and don’t expect a government bailout.

Vice President Dick Cheney was a forceful presence. He sat in on every one of Bush’s meetings, including Bush’s summit with old rival Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on campaign-finance reform.

This week, Bush will release his prescription-drug program and his “faith-based initiatives” program.